<h4>Chapter 12</h4>


    The wedding hall at the Lake Ind Garden Hotel boasts floor-to-ceiling windows offering a breathtaking view of the lush greenke and mountains. Thevish décor of the hall, adorned with white roses andce satin, creates a dreamy and exquisite atmosphere.


    ck sedans drive through the long corridor, entering the open-air parking lot of the Lake Heart Hotel. The guests arriving and departing are all prominent figures in their respective circles. Anyone with a bit of business acumen knows that if the Su and Qin families'' alliance is sessful, they will essentially rival the entertainment industry giant, Chen Huaixiao.


    They are all eager toe and congratte, standing in line to show their support. From now on, the situation where Chen Huaixiao dominates alone is likely toe to an end.


    Su Yecheng is dressed in a ck suit and is apanied by the elegantly attired Zou Meizhi as they receive congrattions from friends and family.


    Su Anning walks over, and Su Yecheng turns his head to ask her, "Is there any problem with your sister?"


    "My sister has a lot of grievances towards you, and it seems she is reluctant to get married. I''m afraid she might suddenly change her mind."


    Su Yecheng furrows his brow and says, "How could she change her mind? Although we haven''tpleted the marriage registration, the guests have already arrived. If she doesn''t want to get married, why didn''t she say so earlier?"


    Zou Meizhi interjects, "She''s from a small rural area. Marrying into the Qin family is a life of luxury for her, but she doesn''t know how to cherish it. She''s really ungrateful."


    Su Yecheng sighs, "Regardless, she is getting married on behalf of Anning, and I still feel somewhat guilty."


    Upon hearing this, Su Anning quickly adds, "Dad, I heard that the groom Qin Jue not only has a handsome appearance but also has a particrly good character. My sister will definitely be happy with him!"


    "I hope so," Su Yecheng responds, looking at the dense white rose flowers on the stage, which almost make him smile.


    Qin Jue''s character is well-known in the circle. He is an unruly and domineering yboy who takes advantage of others and is very perverted. It''s a stroke of luck for her to marry such a person. Su Anning feels like she has finally vented her anger.


    Fifteen minutes have passed since the start of the wedding, and the groom Qin Jue has not yet arrived. Su Yecheng bes anxious and approaches the Chairman of the Qin Family''spany, Qin Yao, politely asking, "Father-inw, why hasn''t the groom arrived yet?"


    "There was a little ident on the way," Qin Yao, calm as a mountain, responds. "Let''s wait a while longer."


    Su Yecheng is naturally anxious since the Su family is climbing the socialdder by marrying into the Qin family. Many families in the circle want to form alliances with the Qin family, giving them more choices.


    Qin Yao picks up the phone and calls Qin Jue, "What''s taking so long? Everyone''s waiting for you."


    On the other end of the phone, Qin Jue''szy voice says, "Dad, I can''t make it. There was a slight ident on the road, and I''m now at the traffic police station."


    "What kind of ident?"


    "I got into a fender bender, and they won''t let me go."


    "Just give them some money to settle it."


    "They won''t take money and insist on justice. Let''s postpone the wedding for now."


    Qin Yao said coldly, "Hmph, I don''t think you really want to get married! What excuse are you using?"


    "Who says I don''t want to get married?" Qin Jue replied with a hint of gritted teeth, "I''ve already decided to marry the second young miss of the Su family! But what''s wrong with making her wait a little? It''s the Su family who are in a hurry to marry off their daughter."


    Qin Yao cursed the bastard a few times, then hung up the phone with a cold face.


    Su Yecheng quickly asked, "Can our son make it in time?"


    "Just wait a bit longer," Qin Yao replied calmly. After all, his Qin Family didn''tck for daughters-inw.


    At that moment, Su Yecheng saw an elderly man with white hair sitting at the nearest round table to the viewing tform. He looked a bit confused and said to Qin Yao, "Do you see that...doesn''t he look like the Chen family''s old master?"


    "That''s impossible! Hasn''t Chen old master already retired? How could he be here?" Qin Yao replied.


    "It seems so."


    How could they have invited someone like Chen old master to this engagement between their two families?


    Zou Meizhi said coldly, "He''s probably just a poor rtive from the countryside of Bai Yin. Look at his shabby clothes and demeanor."


    Su Yecheng nced at the old man again.


    He was sitting at the table, dressed in a simple vintage white shirt, with a carved walking stick beside him. He was ying with a single-lens reflex camera but couldn''t figure it out, so he had to ask a young person next to him for help.


    How could an old man like him be the founder of the Chen family''s business empire, which had once dominated the business world?


    Su Yecheng walked over and asked the old man, "Are you a rtive of Bai Yin''s from the countryside in Jiangnan?"


    The old man''s aged eyes carried a hint of sharp intimidation as he gave Su Yecheng a once-over, making him feel a bit uneasy.


    "I''m Bai Yin''s neighbor," the old man replied, his tone indifferent.


    "Then I''ll trouble you to move seats. These seats are for the new couple''s direct rtives," Su Yecheng pointed to the seats at the entrance of the hall. "You can sit over there."


    The old man looked in the direction he pointed and said, "That''s too far. I want to take pictures of the girl."


    Zou Meizhi, not mincing words, said, "You''re unreasonable. I told you, this is where the direct rtives of the new couple sit."


    The old man didn''t even bother to look at her. "How do you know I''m not a direct rtive of the new couple?"


    "If you don''t leave, I''ll call security," Su Yecheng said. With so many business partners present, he couldn''t let an old man from the countryside sit in front and be aughingstock for no reason.


    Just then, the chairman of Liaoyuan Group arrived and Su Yecheng quickly went up to greet him and arrange his seat with utmost respect. "Mr. Xiao, your personal attendance at my daughter''s wedding truly adds to the splendor of the asion."


    President Xiao ignored him and instead looked at the white-haired old man next to him, his face registering surprise. "Are you...are you Chen old master?"


    The old man continued to fiddle with his camera and did not respond.


    President Xiao seemed to recognize him and eximed, "It''s been so many years, old master, do you still remember me?"


    "Mr. Chen gave him a disdainful look. ''I remember the chairman of Liaoyuan Groupst saw you ten years ago at the financial summit in Haicheng.''


    ''You''re looking well, Mr. Chen.''


    ''Hmph, just an old bag of bones.''


    The chairman of Liaoyuan Group had always been haughty and didn''t think much of Su Yecheng, even showing indifference towards the Qin family. But now, as he looked at Su Yecheng, his gaze held a hint of admiration. ''I never would have thought that a man like Mr. Chen would attend a wedding like this. Su, you really have some influence.''


    Su Yecheng''s face changed dramatically, and he nervously said to Mr. Chen, ''Mr. Chen, it''s my mistake for not recognizing you. Please sit in the VIP section and enjoy the ceremony.''


    Mr. Chen patted the camera in his hands. ''I''m staying right here. It''s convenient for taking pictures.''


    Su Anning watched the scene unfold and murmured to her mother, feeling resentful, ''How could Bai Yin, who grew up in the countryside, have any connection to the Chen family? Is she lying?''


    Zou Meizhi surveyed her husband''s subservient attitude and estimated that it was unlikely to be false. However, she felt ufortable and sourly said, ''Who knows? A country girl who wants to climb the high branches of the Chen family. She''s probably pretending.''


    Just then, the sweet and melodious sound of the wedding march filled the hall. The bride, wearing a gorgeous white wedding dress, appeared at the end of the red carpet covered in white roses.


    As soon as she appeared, she captured the attention of everyone in the room. The woman wore ace veil over her white dress, and her hair was styled in an exquisite bun. Her eyebrows and eyes looked like they were shrouded in the misty mountains and rivers of southern China, while her pale cheeks were touched with a faint pink.


    Her stunning face appeared cool and unblemished, yet her eyes were filled with a sensuality and passion that were hard to resist.


    Su Anning felt ufortable at the sight of her. Bai Yin''s beauty was too overwhelming, and it made her instinctively feel threatened. However, she quickly realized that after today, this woman would not be able to show up publicly so easily.


    The Qin family was very strict, and they would never allow their female members to expose themselves in public. So no matter how beautiful she was or how well she danced, she could not threaten Su Anning''s career in the entertainment industry.


    Thinking of this, Su Anning finally rxed.


    Zou Meizhi frowned slightly as she looked at the bride on the stage and said, ''The groom still hasn''t arrived, and she''s rushing to stand up there. It''s embarrassing.''


    ''She just likes to show off,'' Su Anning said coldly. ''She''s afraid that no one will notice her.''


    The bride was already standing on the stage, ready for the wedding, and the wedding march had already yed through once. However, the groom had not yet arrived, and the guests began to talk among themselves.


    ''I heard the groom isn''t happy with the bride and hasn''t even shown up.''


    ''How can he not be happy with such a beautiful bride?''


    ''Being beautiful is one thing, but she''s from the countryside. The Qin family''s yboy has high standards and naturally looks down on her.''


    "Whispers are circting that she agreed to the marriage proposal and rushed over from the countryside as soon as possible."


    "No wonder, the groom hasn''t even arrived yet and she''s already eagerly standing up."


    "If the groom doesn''t show up today, it will be a huge embarrassment."


    ...


    The crowd whispered, spreading rumors. Su Yecheng was anxious, like an ant on a hot stove, as he approached Qin Yao and urged him, "Why isn''t the groom here yet?"


    "He had a minor ident on the way. Just wait a little longer."


    "We''ve already been waiting for forty minutes."


    Qin Yao looked at him disdainfully and said, "Mr. Su, if you can''t wait, then cancel the wedding and find another match."


    "You..."


    Of course, Su Yecheng knew that this marriage alliance was a way for the Su family to climb the socialdder, and the Qin family didn''t really care. "Even in business, we should still uphold honesty and integrity. The guests are already here, and if we cancel the wedding now, it would be hical," Su Yecheng said nervously.


    "Ethics?" Qin Yao sneered, "We were originally supposed to marry your eldest daughter, but in the end, we got a girl from the countryside. Who''s being dishonest here?"


    Su Yecheng was speechless, knowing that the Qin family still looked down on Bai Yin''s background. "Whether big or small, they''re all daughters of the Su family. They''re all the same," he said, feeling defensive. "And in terms of looks, Bai Yin is not inferior to Su Anning."


    "If it wasn''t for this, the wedding wouldn''t even take ce." Qin Yao''s voice was cold and firm. "So if you want to wait, then wait. But if you can''t, then cancel the wedding."


    Su Yecheng sighed, knowing that if they canceled the wedding now, it would be a huge embarrassment for the Su family. He could only wait patiently.


    Suddenly, the sound of a sharp car engine rang out.


    The guests turned their heads and saw a maple-colored, high-end sports car speeding towards the hotel, crushing white rose petals along the way and stopping at the hotel entrance.


    Who was so arrogant as to drive a car into the hotel!


    The car door opened, and a man in a high-end suit calmly stepped out.


    As soon as they saw him, the previously noisy scene suddenly fell silent.


    The man had a cold and stern face, and his ck eyes were tinged with a hint of ruthlessness. Although his expression was cold, his features were stunning.


    The high-end suit perfectly outlined his tall and slender figure, and his demeanor was inhuman yet irresistibly attractive.


    "It''s Chen Huaixiao!"


    "Why is Chen Huaixiao here!"


    "His outfit... he must be the groom!"


    "No... that''s impossible! The groom today is Chen Huaixiao!!!"


    Su Anning''s eyes widened suddenly, her fingertips digging tightly into her palms.


    Chen Huaixiao... the man she had loved secretly for so many years! He had actuallye to the wedding!


    "Mom, how could Chen Huaixiaoe? Who invited him! Why is he wearing the groom''s clothes!"


    Zou Meizhi looked at the stage resentfully. "Who knows..."


    ...


    Bai Yin watched as Chen Huaixiao walked towards her calmly, and her tense heart suddenly rxed.


    Her mind went nk, the music faded away, and the noise disappeared.


    All that remained in the world was the chaotic beating of her heart.


    He... he had reallye.


    It felt like a dream.


    Chen Huaixiao leapt onto the wedding stage with agility, took the stunned emcee''s microphone, and his lips curved into a faint smile. "Thank you all foring to witness the marriage of Bai Yin and me."


    The guests erupted in shock and disbelief, some gasped, some covered their mouths in amazement, and others whispered among themselves...


    Chen Huaixiao scanned the crowd and spoke with a calm andmanding voice, "Does anyone have any objections?"


    The guests immediately fell silent.


    It was clear that this big shot was here to snatch his love away.


    No one dared to object to such a brazen disy of love.


    Finally, the romantic wedding march began ying again.


    Bai Yin took a deep breath and looked down the aisle at the man who was as handsome as a god, waiting for her at the end of the white rose-covered path.


    He was the older brother she had quietly loved for so many years.


    Countless times she had imagined herself marrying him, in a romantic white rose andce wedding gown, with the bridal makeup she had carefully prepared for herself...


    It was like a dreame true.


    She lifted her wedding dress without hesitation and ran towards Chen Huaixiao, her heart overflowing with love.